Frank “Big Thunder” Loring, ca. 1884

Description

Frank “Big Thunder” Loring, Penobscot, (1827-1906) was one of several Wabanakis who commercialized their public identities to make a living. On stage he entertained by mixing authentic Wabanaki cultural history with invented traditions.

Off stage, he was a hunter, guide, medicine man, and tribal leader. Clever in the marketplace, he boosted sales of Wabanaki relics and crafts by telling captivating stories about the objects and himself.

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